Chapter Text
There were a lot of players that Atsumu kept in touch with. His charismatic personality and ability to talk to basically anyone made his social network quite large. He has been pro for two years now, and fuck does it feel good. He knew in highschool that this was what he wanted, what he needed, but to actually have it? Amazing. His team is pretty good, it could be better. He knows the team managers are always looking at the rising talent for future years. He personally has his eye on Hinata and Sakusa. Hinata is still in highschool but could go pro from there, Sakusa is on a college team. Astumu hears they are pretty good, and watching a game or maybe two confirmed those rumors.
He fondly remembers training camp with Sakusa, they both as teens were still finding themselves, picking fights wherever they went and trying to show off. Those tendencies still lie under Astumu’s skin but the need to boast has quieted a lot, he would rather show what he can do than run his mouth. I guess I'm maturing, he thinks to himself and smiles.
The Jackals travel all over Japan for games and media events. A few times now he has found himself in Sakusa’s part of town and nearly gone through with texting him to meet up. He wants to see how the spiker is doing on a college team…and he also wants to show off what he can do to Sakusa.
It is one of those times, they have a game in town where Sakusa goes to school. All the way there Astumu plays with his phone, typing and retyping an opening message to say hi and maybe…see each other? God it seems so lame. ‘Hey, long time no see, we both still ball, want to ball together?’ Astumu closes his phone with finality, nope, not worth the potential humiliation. Especially when he pictures Sakusa’s critical eyes over a mask. Nope.
The game goes well, really well. They take it in the first two sets. Media is interviewing Atsumu after the game, they have him up against the wall, lights trained on him while they ask filler questions about how far the Jackals will go this season. His spine prickles with the knowledge that he is squeezed into this tight space. He kind of loves the attention, he knows he looks good in the spotlight, and he uses his natural charms to dazzle, pushing that spike of fear back into its box.
He is answering some boring questions about his teammates when he sees a flash of neon green. Ugh how garish, he thinks, but that color sparks something in his fingertips, it is familiar. Mid answer, he does a double take and looks again, and there he is, in that horrible highschool jacket, old habits die hard I guess.
“Excuse me” Astumu says and bows quickly, ducking out from behind the camera to chase him down. Sakusa was still walking towards the exit. Atsumu jogs and pushes a few people to get through. Once he is right behind Sakusa he hesitates.
They haven't spoken in nearly two years, and they were never pals, just, rivals who pushed each other to be better. Sakusa is here for school, I doubt he wants to see me…wait a second he was at MY game. He wanted to see me. A grin breaks over his face and he taps the man walking in front of him on the shoulder.
The man turns quickly, narrowed eyes glancing back, already spitting out an insult “watch it y--...Miya?” Sakusa looks very surprised, eyebrows lifting to be partially hidden by long curly bangs. The crowd keeps pushing on them and Sakusa flicks his wrist towards a nearly empty hallway. They depart from the swarm and find themselves almost alone.
“Hey Omi-Omi” Astumu says with a bright smile on his face “Did you enjoy the game?”
Sakusa's eyes drift over Atsumu for a moment, taking him in, and replies “Yes.”
Still a man of few words, Atsumu rolls his eyes and leans against the wall. “I hear you still play Omi-kun”
“Please don't” Sakusa drawls, eyes glancing at the exit.
Not on my watch, Astumu thinks, “I'm in town all weekend, can I come to a practice? I think since we are in different leagues it should be okay”
Sakusa looks startled again. He rubs his fingers together, a nervous habit Atsumu noticed back at All Japan training camp. “I don't know, I'd have to ask…”
Atsumu continues to lean and places his hand on his hip “ask away Omi, I want to see you play”
Sakusa’s mask has always been highly efficient covering most of his face at all times. Now it is no different, but if Astumu wasn't mistaken, it seems like there is a tiny amount of pink color right where his nose starts to show. Astumu's smile grows, “I want to see how you've improved these two years, you got to see how I improved.”
Sakusa eyes him coldly, a mean twinkle in his eye “You'd call that improved?”
“Ah! Don't be like that, you know I'm better than I was in highschool!” Atsumu feels himself lose his cool for a second, feeling like he is again 16 and needing to puff up his chest. “I'll show you a set so damn good you'll be dropping school to join the Jackals.”
They both pause at that. And Atsumu realizes what he has let slip, that he thinks about Sakusa joining his team.
Sakusa hums, enjoying seeing the other one flustered “I'll text my coach and let you know.” He turns and starts towards the exit, “Bye Miya” he raises his hand half heartedly as he walks away.
Atsumu stands there for a moment wondering how he started with the upper hand, tapping Omi on the shoulders, surprising him, to accidentally spilling his fantasy team desires…
He blinks a few times at the now clearing exit, and turns to the locker room. He's not sure if he even wants Sakusa to text him the answer.
…
That night
From Omi-kun: Coach said yes, come tomorrow at 9am.
Atsumu is excited, despite his mixed feelings earlier. He shoots back a confirmation text, trying his best not to overdo it and get uninvited.
From Omi-kun: Some of the other guys are…fans. Be weary.
From Atsumu: I know how to handle my fame, don't worry OmiOmi.
From Omi-kun: Please don't call me that.
Atsumu leaves it at that. The team is out drinking, knowing that they have tomorrow off. Atsumu switches to water, knowing he is going to need to flaunt his stuff tomorrow morning.
He smiles down into his cup until a teammate catches him and starts punching him in the shoulder, asking who the lucky gal is.
“Oh shut it! I can't be happy we kicked but today?” Atsumu nails him back in the bicep.
That's why he's smiling. Endorphins from the game, endorphins from winning, endorphins from…nope. Endorphins are from winning.
…
Damn this is a big school, Atsumu thinks as he turns the map around in his hands. Uh…he looks up, this is the library, and that puts the gym complex…over there! He changes course and checks his time. Shit is already 9:15, why is this school so damn big?
He starts jogging and finally makes it to the correct building. It's pretty big for a college gym. He steps into the foyer and changes his shoes to his practice sneakers. It's here where Sakusa finds him, stepping into the doorway and quietly laughing at how it's obvious Astumu ran here.
“Lost Miya?” The gravelly voice pulls Atsumu’s attention to the doorway, to see a maskless, smirking Sakusa.
“Yeah, you didn't say your school was so big, Omi, it's like a town!”
Sakusa only cocks his head to the side slightly and waits for Astumu to finish.
Once ready Sakusa begins to lead him in, “Again, I warn you, some are fans” he says dryly, like he can barely stand the idea of someone knowing Atsumu’s name.
Atsumu walks in to see two nets set up and a large team. Some are in a practice game, the others are practicing drills. Sakusa enters and…does nothing, he doesn't introduce Atsumu, he just keeps walking towards the practice court. Well this is awkward…Atsumu’s steps falter and then he hears “Miya Atsumu!” He glances over to see the voice’s owner, “Iwaizumi-san! I didn't know you were here!” Iwaizumi walks over and gives Atsumu a clap on the back “Hajime will do.” He says quietly and then calls out to the team, “Miya Atsumu made it, come greet our pro guest”
Atsumu makes introductions and promptly forgets nearly everyone’s name. Hajime is still by his side and Sakusa is off somewhere, “So what do you want to see?”
Astumu thinks, he wants to see Sakusa play, wants to set to him, but he doesn't want to make it super obvious who he is watching… “Practice game, you, me, Sakusa, vs three others?”
“Got it!” Hajime replies and begins to collect three contenders. Atsumu swivels his head, searching for that mopey face when he sees beauty itself. Sakusa is midair, spine flexed back , arm bent limply behind his head, and suddenly the arm snaps like a whip and the ball slams onto the other court. “Fuck” Atsumu hears himself breathe out. Sakusa lands and stands there, like he didn't just rock Atsumu’s world.
Hajime calls across the court to Sakusa and Atsumu to start their match.
…
Atsumu has always kind of gotten off on the control he has in volleyball. Not in a sexual way…mostly…but more in like a, it feeds his ego way. He loves that every successful spike was in his hands first, he loves that feeling of watching the ball perfectly arc into his spikers path, and he loves watching his spiker’s body snap like…wait. Atsumu shakes his head and watches the ball slam down onto the opponent's side.
“That one good Omi?” It was, he knows it was, he watched it fly right into his hand.
Sakusa thinks for a moment and then says “I can go higher.” Oh this Atsumu has to see.
The next set he puts a touch higher and watches Sakusa match it perfectly.
Upon landing, he gives Sakusa a meaningful look to which he replies “Higher.”
Atsumu sets it a little higher and watches that perfect form fly up to meet it. Atsumu has a moment where he doesn't feel like the one in control, he's not getting the ball to Sakusa, Sakusa is flying to reach the ball. This spike goes right over the block.
Feet back in the ground, Atsumu is given a scorching smirk, “Not used to setting so high?”. Atsumu feels his ears burn, the bastard is taunting him. His brain feels wrapped in a knot. Growing up with a twin brother Atsumu has never been at a loss for a comeback, but, in this moment, his mouth is empty. He catches the ball, and stalks back to serve without a word.
They take the set easily. The other players are good, but it is obvious that Sakusa and Hajime are in a league of their own. I wouldn't mind having either of those powerhouses on my team, he thinks idly as he sips some water.
Practice is over, Atsumu helps them pack up despite nearly every team member telling him to stop. But old habits die hard, after practice you clean up, simple as that.
He finds himself in the locker room with the team, showering and dressing. It's here that Atsumu gets cornered. Two freshmen stand on either side of him grilling him about various Jackal players, and highschool tournaments. Atsumu tries to answer, but as soon as half of a response comes out another question is thrust forwards. The overlapping voices and demanding tones, all while he is in a towel is a bit much.
Suddenly a dark presence makes itself known behind Atsumu and the two freshmen freeze. “Didn't we talk about this?” Sakusa drones, bored.
The two scamper away and Atsumu lets out a sigh of relief. “Thanks Omi, I thought they were going to eat me”.
Sakusa gives him an appraising look up and down, “Get dressed.”
Atsumu laughs as he pulls a shirt over his head “Getting overwhelmed by this hot body?” He jokes.
“I'll be in the foyer” Sakusa states and leaves the locker room.
Atsumu hurries to finish and makes sure to steer clear of those two freshmen. He exits the locker room and sees Sakusa standing in the corner, grimacing at his phone. “You're going to get wrinkles Omi”
Sakusa raises his head and scoffs.
“So…” Atsumu says awkwardly. He came and did what he wanted to do, guess it's time to go back to the hotel and-
“Want coffee?” The offer surprises him. Atsumu takes a second to make sure he really heard that…from Sakusa.
“Uh, yeah, sounds great, have a place?”
Sakusa nods and leaves the gym.
Guess I'll follow, thinks Atsumu. He walks a pace or two behind, and realizes that Omi looks bigger. Not like he grew much, but that his posture and stance is bigger, or more confident. The thought ‘suits him’ flits across Atsumu’s mind and he jogs a pace to catch up and walk side by side.
…
Atsumu is determined to make sure there is no awkward lull in the conversation. He is confident that with his social skills he can keep the flow going.
“So what are you studying here?”
“Sports sciences”
“Oh yeah? Do you like it?”
“It's fine”
Atsumu bristles a little, Sakusa could at least try a little. I'm not even going to sip my coffee at this rate.
“Why college then? If it's just fine?”
At that Sakusa pauses, “My parents were adamant that I get a degree. This school has a fine enough volleyball team to keep me sharp.”
“Watch out Omi, don't let your team hear you say that.”
Sakusa’s mouth forms a straight line, and he thinks for a moment and then finally says, “why?”
“Well, you called them fine, that's not exactly a praise.”
“But they are fine enough to keep me good, that is plenty fine”
“Haha, I agree, but you still shouldn't say it”
A second after he has said it, Atsumu realizes how his agreement could be interpreted. Sakusa picked a school that was good enough to keep him trained, because he is the best, and he is the standard, that being good enough for him is good enough, and Atsumu just agreed.
Atsumu sips and then coughs it back out, hot hot hot.
He grabs napkins to wipe it up and hears Sakusa moving in front of him, God he is probably so grossed out, he's probably going to go ask the cafe for industrial cleaner and spray it right in my mouth.
When he gets most of it cleaned up he collects the tissues into his hand and goes to stand, and he finally catches sight of Sakusa who is...laughing?
Atsumu pouts, but is glad his version of things isn't playing out instead.
Atsumu disposes of the napkins and takes the wet wipe Sakusa hands him and wipes down the whole table. This is not going great, Atsumu thinks.
“How many years are left in your program?”
“Just one more semester, I did an accelerated track”
“Smarty pants Omi! What will you do after?”
Here Sakusa pauses, “I'd hoped to go pro”
That sentence makes Atsumu’s heartbeat fast. Excited. He might play Sakusa again on the court. Someday soon.
“Yeah, I've been putting in applications at various teams to show intent.”
Then a thought bursts into Atsumu's head, “The Jackals? Is that why you went to see our game?”
“Hmm, yeah” Sakusa gives him a pointed look, one Atsumu doesn't understand, “to see if you were strong.”
“Well?”
“Strong enough.”
“So you applied?”
Sakusa nods. Now Atsumu’s heart is really racing. It could really happen. Sakusa on his team. Setting spikes to those wicked wrists every day. Breathe, breathe.
“Do you have a top choice?”
“Not yet, still checking everything out” again that unreadable stare pins Atsumu to the chair.
Sakusa checks his watch and sighs, “And it all hinges on me actually getting my degree. I'm sorry Miya but I have to go”
“No problem Smarty pants Omi” Atsumu says sipping his now regular temperature coffee.
Sakusa stands, his fingers rubbing together on either side of him. He makes eye contact one last time and turns on his heel, “Bye Miya” he says over his shoulder, one hand half raised.
Atsumu breathes a sigh of relief. Man that guy is kind of intense, like in an almost spooky way, makes my heart race. Makes me want to figure out what all his buttons are, and then see him break that apathetic facade.
Atsumu blinks at his own thoughts, weird, and then goes back to sipping his coffee.
…